Division of Water Rights Hearings
on Provision of Water for the Blue Castle Nuclear Power Station
January 12, 2010

On January 12, 2010, the Utah Division of Water Rights held hearings on the protests of requests by the Kane County and San Juan County Water Conservancy Districts to provide water for the proposed nuclear power station in Green River. The hearings were for change applications a35402 (Water Rights 89-74, 89-128, and 89-1513) and a35874 (Water Right 09-462).

Citizens of Green River and Grand County, along with representatives of state and national organizations provided testimony at the hearings. The Water Conservancy Districts' legal representative, John Mabey, Blue Castle Holdings Inc. CEO Aaron Tilton, and their experts gave a lengthy presentation (see links to presentation below) in support of the proposed transfer of water rights from the Colorado River and San Juan Rivers to the Green River for Blue Castle Project.

Protesters presented testimony on the impacts of the withdrawal of 74 cubic feet per second (53,600 acre feet) on the Green River environment, the lack of available water over time due to other water use commitments and climate change, agreements that must be met in support of endangered fish species, the physical and economic feasibility of the project, lack of specific information and data, and adverse impacts to local agricultural and recreational uses and the community.

The State Engineer has held the record open until March 1 to receive additional written testimony from all the parties.